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Cinderella Story

Posted on February 18, 2019

A Mediterranean home’s magical transformation

It wasn’t a simple wave of a wand, but rather an extensive remodel of this home in Naples’ Grey Oaks community, that resulted in nothing short of a fairytale ending. After 22 years, the owners were looking for a new forever home. After searching across Naples, they concluded they should remain in their favored location, surrounded by friends and neighbors. They called upon Laurie Walter of Cinnabar Design to do her magic, helping them to visualize the transformation of their dated Mediterranean estate home.

“I believe we checked off every box on their wish list and incorporated things that they never even dreamed of. As interior design professionals that is our job, to interpret the clients’ wishes, their greatest desires that sometimes they don’t even know they have,” explains Walter.

Walter walked the original home with PBS Contractors, embarking on a renovation that included a complete demolition and expansion on the first floor and outdoor living area, and renovation of both the first and second floor living spaces. Together, the tested team of PBS Contractors’ dedicated project superintendent Howard Thompson, and Cinnabar Designs’ Walter and design associate Kelly Sereghy, made the magic happen.

“We look for the clients’ aspiration and a dream. This client communicated well what they were looking for and Cinnabar Design heard what they were saying and beautifully interpreted it; the PBS team was able to execute that collective vision into a home the client is very, very proud of,” says PBS Contractors CEO Russell Budd.

The new interior design led the clients in a completely different direction. The original inspiration images they presented to the designers were traditional and dated—very similar to their old interior. Walter and Sereghy crafted those ideas into an updated, neutral, soft-transitional design. “He (the husband) was dead-set against contemporary and transitional, but when he saw our idea, he not only okayed it, but embraced it, and really enjoyed the process, even texting me inspiration images from locales he visited in his world travels,” laughs Walter.

The owners never went inside the home during the final stages of the remodel process. When it was revealed to them upon completion they were, “…amazed and delighted with the outcome.” They agree, the team delivered their “…happily ever after…” and more.

The remodel of the front elevation consisted of designing and engineering a façade to “fit like a jacket over the front of the home” according to Walter. PBS Contractors removed the precast Tuscan elements and columns. The taller more linear front elevation creates a clean, contemporary exterior to better reflect the home’s interior redesign.

The show-stopping glass-walled wine room is the star of the remodel. Situated where the kitchen once stood, the clients’ own warrior soldier statue is flanked by Vintage View label-forward wine racks. The opposite side of the solid wall houses the great room TV in the new open concept design.

Light, bright contemporary glass-inlayed doors and a modern LED backlit suspended-panel ceiling design replace the dark and dated foyer, setting an open and welcoming tone upon arrival. American Naturals Tumbleweed porcelain tile in 8-by-48-inch planks is used throughout the first floor. Simple paint and trim create a niche for contemporary art and a sleek Made Goods console.

Once considered the “do not touch” room, the living room is now a useful extension of the home’s open entertaining space. The updated window-wall by Andersen Windows floods the room with natural light. A quartet of Thayer Coggin club chairs atop a hand knotted area rug creates a perfect conversation space for cocktails with arriving guests.

The former kitchen was removed from the center of the home allowing the team to reposition the rooms to better fit the clients’ lifestyle. An addition at the front of the home made way for the new kitchen. Walter selected Elmwood cabinets in a white oyster finish for the perimeter. Low profile Vanguard stools tuck neatly under the driftwood finished island topped in earthy Cambria Oakmoor quartz. A pair of Hudson Valley pendants light the workspace which is fully equipped with a Modern-Aire custom 48-inch hood, and Wolf and SubZero appliances.

Once dark and crowded, the living room is now the clients’ favored retreat. Soft transitional furnishings from International Design Source seat many, providing the comfortable lounging space requested by the homeowners. A custom Marilyn painting adds a bit of glam to the space, as does the and Kichler 12-light brushed-nickel chandelier, suspended from the vaulted ceiling detail with central cross-beam design.

The master bedroom is now a calming respite, with a light gray color palette and clean-lined Bernhardt furnishings from International Design Source. Cinnabar-designed custom bedding and window treatments maintain the soothing aesthetic. A hand-loomed area rug completes the room’s monochromatic appeal.

The dramatic transformation of the master bath includes an addition for a larger walk-in closet. A freestanding MTI tub with Rohl tub filler is positioned in front of a floating shower wall clad in 24-by-12-inch Marvel Pro Cremo Delicato tile with hexagonal mosaic accent by Design Works. The artistic design is in clear view from the master suites’ redesigned entry.

The once long, narrow, dark outdoor living area was expanded to meet today’s lifestyle needs. PBS Contractors built-out the roofline, creating room for an outdoor kitchen and bar, dining area, and large covered seating area with cross-beam ceiling design. Walter used a stone wall accent to delineate the dining area. Glass-tile from Design Works, porcelain flooring, and comfortable seating provide an interior-finish quality in this outdoor space.